Jury calls special elections for millage renewals

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury approved two special elections for millage renewals for the library system and the juvenile detention facility during its meeting Tuesday.

The jurors unanimously approved the measures and set the election for May 3.

A property tax renewal of 7.64 mills is proposed to generate money for the parish libraries over the next 10 years. An estimated $7.8 million would be generated in the first year.

A property tax renewal of 2.9 mills is proposed to raise money for the Green Oaks Juvenile Detention Center. The tax is expected to generate just under $3 million in the first year.

Both taxes would take effect in 2016 and last through 2025, if passed.

Library Director Robin Toms said the tax provides the bulk of the funding used to manage the 10 branches throughout the parish.

“Basically this will allow us to provide the services we’ve provided in the past. Everything we’ve been offering — all the programs, materials and services — it will enable us to continue that,” Toms said.

The library system saw about 3.6 million transactions last year. It has a circulation of more than 950,000.

The library also provides bookmobile and outreach vans, which service nursing homes, the veterans home, shut-ins, day cares and schools.

If the taxes pass, Green Oaks Director Lamar Anderson said he plans to partner with the library to create a substation library so inmates can access books. He also wants to start a program to help inmates achieve a high school equivalency degree.

Anderson said one of his goals is to increase education so that inmates won’t find themselves in jail again.

“Statistics will show that children who have an education foundation are less likely to commit crime versus children who are out of school,” Anderson said. “The more we educate them, the less we’ll have to incarcerate them.”

Other funds will be used for employee training, structural repairs and security system upgrades.

The jury also appointed a number of people to various boards within the parish.

Morris Rabb and David Kovac will serve on the Bayou DeSiard-Bayou Bartholomew Cut-Off Loop Conservation Water Board.

Rabb’s appointment renews his position on the board. Kovac replaces John Brown, whose term expired.

Melissa Breland was appointed to the Keep Ouachita Parish Beautiful Committee, filling a vacant position.

Omar Elgonrani was appointed to the Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitor’s Bureau board. He replaces Samuel Sanders, whose term expired.